Andy Murray ‘second favourite’ to win Wimbledon

NEIL LANCEFIELD

WIMBLEDON is a betting bonanza every year and the bookies have installed Andy Murray as the second favourite to clinch the men’s singles title.

Last year’s beaten finalist Novak Djokovic is the 7/4 favourite to win at the All England Club, with Murray 3/1.

Andy Murray kissing the trophy last year. Picture: AP

World number one Rafael Nadal is close behind in the betting on 9/2.

Meanwhile Roger Federer can be backed at 5/1 to earn his eighth Wimbledon title.

The odds on Grigor Dimitrov have shorted to 20/1 after his impressive victory at Queen’s.

William Hill offer 100/1 that the 23-year-old Bulgarian wins Wimbledon and gets engaged to his girlfriend, Maria Sharapova, during the championships.

Rupert Adams, spokesman for the bookmaker, said: “Dimitrov and Sharapova are perhaps the most glamorous couple to ever play at Wimbledon and there is a chance that they could be taking both trophies home.”

French Open champion Sharapova is the 5/1 second favourite behind Serena Williams, who is just 5/4 to scoop victory at SW19.

Caroline Wozniacki, who recently split from golfer fiancee Rory McIlroy, is on odds of 66/1.

According to Ladbrokes the most heavily backed players so far are Nadal, Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka, Eugenie Bouchard and Agnieszka Radwanska.

Meanwhile Paddy Power have released odds on events that could happen off-court at Wimbledon.

The bookmaker has odds of 2/1 that the Centre Court roof will be used three or more times during the tournament, while Murray is 7/4 to give another emotional appearance on court by crying again.

Meanwhile he is 25/1 to support the campaign for Scottish independence by donating his Wimbledon prize money to Yes Scotland.

Perhaps the most bizarre odds available are 40/1 that his mother, Judy, launches her own clothing line this year.